Josh Willingham | Outfielder

Latest News

Recent News

Josh Willingham has retired from baseball.

The 35-year-old outfielder informed ESPN of that decision on Monday afternoon. Willingham probably could have done pretty well for himself on the market this winter, but he'll hang up his cleats to spend more time with his family. "After praying on my decision many times and talking to my wife, my father and ex-players who have gone through the same process toward the end of their careers, I have decided to retire," Willingham said. "I'm honored to have played for as many years as I have, and I feel even luckier to walk away on my own terms instead of having the decision made for me." Mon, Nov 24, 2014 12:49:00 PM

According to Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish, Josh Willingham hasn't made a decision about retirement.

This confirms what Willingham told Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press in late September. The 35-year-old "will see what's available" in free agency before making a decision. Thu, Oct 30, 2014 05:41:00 PM

Josh Willingham told Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press via text that he has yet to decide whether he'll retire after the season.

"I haven’t made a decision yet and don’t know what I’m going to do," Willingham said. Berardino reported earlier Thursday that Willingham has told people close to him that he is "100 percent retiring" after the season, but it appears that he might have jumped the gun. For what it's worth, Berardino says he's standing by his report. Willingham will turn 36 in February. Thu, Sep 25, 2014 06:49:00 PM

According to Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Josh Willingham has told people close to him that he is "100 percent retiring" at the end of the season.

Willingham, 35, has been limited to 202 games over the past two seasons due to injury and has seen his productive fall off along with it. After being traded from the Twins to the Royals in August, he's on the verge of the first postseason appearance of his 11-year major league career. Not a bad way to go out. Thu, Sep 25, 2014 04:07:00 PM

Josh Willingham told Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press via text that he has yet to decide whether he'll retire after the season.

"I haven’t made a decision yet and don’t know what I’m going to do," Willingham said. Berardino reported earlier Thursday that Willingham has told people close to him that he is "100 percent retiring" after the season, but it appears that he might have jumped the gun. For what it's worth, Berardino says he's standing by his report. Willingham will turn 36 in February.

According to Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Josh Willingham has told people close to him that he is "100 percent retiring" at the end of the season.

Willingham, 35, has been limited to 202 games over the past two seasons due to injury and has seen his productive fall off along with it. After being traded from the Twins to the Royals in August, he's on the verge of the first postseason appearance of his 11-year major league career. Not a bad way to go out.

Josh Willingham has been unavailable the last couple days after straining his groin on Thursday.

"He feels a little better," Royals manager Ned Yost said Saturday. "Tried to take some swings in the cage (Friday) and felt it still a little bit, swinging. But I imagine he’ll be available to pinch hit here in the next couple days." Willingham is hitting .274/.384/.452 with two homers over 20 games since joining the Royals.

Josh Willingham (back) is available off the bench for the Royals on Tuesday against the Rangers.

Willingham felt no pain in his back or rib cage during batting practice on Tuesday. There was some initial fear that he might have strained his intercostal muscle this weekend, but that injury has been ruled out.

Willingham is dealing with soreness in a muscle in the back of his rib cage and the fear is that it could be an intercostal injury. Naturally, the Royals don't want to take any chances and make things worse.

Josh Willingham (back) is not in the Royals starting lineup for Sunday night's tilt against the Indians.

Willingham has been battling stiffness in his back in recent days. The Royals are hopeful that he will be able to return to the lineup on Tuesday for the second game of their series against the Rangers.

Josh Willingham hit his fourteenth home run of the season in Friday's 6-3 win over the Rangers.

Willingham seems to be settling in with the Royals, as he's now hit in five straight games. With the Royals, he's slashing .345/.387/.586. For comparison's sake, he was hitting .210/.345/.402 with the Twins. Obviously, we don't expect Willingham to hit .345 for the rest of the season, but it's probably reasonable to expect an overall uptick in his numbers by the end of the season, as he's playing with a better club now.

Josh Willingham had a three-run double in Friday's win over the Twins.

It was the big blow in a five-run fifth inning against his former team. Willingham is 3-for-14 (.214) with a walk and five strikeouts since coming over from the Twins earlier this week. He's expected to function as the primary DH for the Royals until Eric Hosmer (hand) comes off the disabled list, so those who need power in deeper fantasy leagues should give him a look.

Hosmer's injury has forced Billy Butler to first base, freeing up at-bats in the DH spot. "We’ll go day-to-day with it," Yost said. "But he’s going to play a lot until Hos gets back. He’s a presence in the lineup because he can drive the ball a long way." Raul Ibanez will also still see time in the DH slot, but it sounds like Willingham, who doubled in one of his four at-bats Tuesday in his Royals' debut, will be the main guy there.

Royals acquired OF Josh Willingham from the Twins in exchange for RHP Jason Adam.

Willingham figures to share designated hitter duties with Raul Ibanez while Billy Butler mans first base with Eric Hosmer (hand) out. The 35-year-old has hit just .209/.343/.380 since the beginning of last season but has slugged 26 homers over 613 at-bats. He'll give the Royals some extra pop down the stretch.

It's the next step in his hitting program after he took some dry swings earlier this week. "He’s progressing fine," Royals manager Ned Yost said. Making his way back from offseason wrist surgery, Gordon is on pace to be ready to roll well before Opening Day as long as he can avoid setbacks.

Royals general manager Dayton Moore said Thursday that they are looking at Kris Medlen (elbow) as someone who will be able to contribute in the second half in 2015.

Medlen, who is coming off a second Tommy John surgery this past March, was signed to a two-year, $8.5 million contract with a $10 million mutual option for 2017. The Royals are going to be extra careful about pushing him too soon.

Luke Hochevar (elbow) faced hitters Tuesday for the first time since Tommy John surgery.

It's a big step for Hochevar, who is nearly a full year removed from Tommy John surgery. He still has some hurdles to cross, but the Royals believe he'll be ready for Opening Day or close to it. He could be a big weapon for a bullpen which was already a strength last season.